Arsenal in talks with £1.5m Bernd Leno back-up keeper

Arsenal are looking for a new back-up keeper and have reportedly held talks over a replacement for Emiliano Martinez.

Martinez was left out of the Gunners’ squad that defeated Fulham on Saturday and is set to complete a £20m move to Aston Villa.

The 28-year-old underwent a medical over the weekend and will become a Villa player in the next 24 hours.

Martinez impressed while stepping in for the injured Bernd Leno last season, keeping nine clean sheets in 23 games.

That led to plenty of interest in the Argentinian who now wants to establish himself as a No.1 in the Premier League.

That leaves Mikel Arteta with a gap to plug and, according to The Telegraph, the club have spoken to French club Dijon over a deal for Iceland goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson.

Runarsson is wanted as back-up for Leno and has a price tag of £1.5m.

Apparently Arsenal’s current goalkeeper coach Inaki Cana has already worked with Runarsson at Danish side Nordsjaelland.

The 25-year-old has been capped five times by Iceland, but he is Dijon’s No.2 keeper and was an unused sub in Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat by Brest.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Brentford stopper David Raya.

TEAMtalk reported on Saturday that Arsenal had made a bid for the 24-year-old Spaniard.

Arteta still ‘active’ in the market

The 24-year-old only joined The Bees last summer from Blackburn Rovers, but the Barcelona-born star was impressive in the club’s run to the play-offs.

He is also another player who has worked under Cana from the coaches time with the Championship club.

Mikel Arteta said on Friday that the Gunners were still looking at bringing players in before next month’s deadline.

“We are still active in the market, we are looking at different options,” he said.

“We are active in the market with players in and out, at the moment the squad balance is not ideal.

“There is still some work to do, but we have to bear in mind the complications of this market.”